Society of Mayflower Descendants in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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1 John E. Lapham, D.Mgt. Attn: SMDPA Historian 70 Palace Drive, Gettysburg, PA MEMBERSHIP OVERVIEW Objectives of the Mayflower Society in Pennsylvania To perpetuate the memory of our Mayflower Ancestors, and to preserve their records, history and all facts relating to them, their ancestors and their posterity. To maintain and defend the principle of civil and religious liberty as set forth in the Compact of the Mayflower, For ye glorie of God, and advancement of ye Christian faith, and honor of our Countrie. To cherish and maintain the ideals and institutions of American freedom, and to oppose any theories or actions that threaten their continuity. To transmit the spirit, the purity of purpose and steadfastness of will of the Pilgrim Fathers to those who shall come after us, an undiminished heritage of liberty and law. To secure united effort to discover and publish original matter in regard to the Pilgrims, together with existing data known only to antiquarians, and to authenticate, preserve and mark historical spots make memorable by Pilgrim association. Article II, Constitution of Society in Pennsylvania Membership Requirements and Mayflower Passengers Individuals with proof of lineal descent (a blood line ) from a passenger of the Mayflower voyage that terminated at Plymouth, New England, in December 1620 shall be eligible for membership. The names of the 51 passengers from whom descent has been proven are as shown below: John Alden Bartholomew Allerton Isaac Allerton Mary (Norris) Allerton Mary Allerton Remember Allerton Elinor Billington Francis Billington John Billington William Bradford Love Brewster Mary Brewster William Brewster Peter Browne James Chilton Mrs. James Chilton Mary Chilton Francis Cooke John Cooke Edward Doty Francis Eaton Samuel Eaton Sarah Eaton Moses Fletcher Edward Fuller Mrs. Edward Fuller Samuel Fuller Samuel Fuller (son of Edward Fuller) Constance Hopkins Elizabeth (Fisher) Hopkins Giles Hopkins Stephen Hopkins John Howland Richard More Priscilla Mullins William Mullins Degory Priest Joseph Rogers [Revised 10 February 2018] Page 1 of 8

2 Thomas Rogers Henry Samson George Soule Myles Standish Elizabeth Tilley John Tilley Joan (Hurst) Tilley Richard Warren Peregrine White Resolved White Susanna White William White Edward Winslow GENERAL APPLICATION PROCEDURES Typically, individuals interested in Mayflower Society membership fall in one or more of the following three scenarios: Scenario 1: Close relative with a Mayflower Society issued number. In this case, you have a close relative that is already approved by the General Society of Mayflower Descendants; Scenario 2: Not an approved Mayflower Society genealogy. In this situation, you have a mapped lineage from a genealogical source that indicates a likely Mayflower passenger, such as Daughters or Sons of the American Revolution, Ancestry.com or another genealogical source; Scenario 3: Eager to know if a Mayflower connection exists. In this category, you have no or little knowledge about a direct lineage to a Mayflower passenger, and you want to explore the possibilities. If Scenarios 1 or 2 fits your situation, suggest that you strongly consider using the General Society of Mayflower Descendants (GSMD) Preliminary Review form. Oftentimes, the results from the GSMD Preliminary Review makes it easier as you subsequently prove lineage during the application process (see page 3). If Scenario 3 is your case, or if you elect not to use the GSMD Preliminary Review form, you need to complete the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (SMDPA) Proposal for Membership (page 6) and Mayflower Introductory/Basic Form (page 7). There is more information later in the document about completing these complementary forms. Further, you can find general information about the Mayflower passengers and their families, listed above, at these web sites: GSMD and SMDPA Another interesting web site is There are other Mayflower sources online and you should check with your local library for more publications. Oftentimes, the most difficult part is just getting started. For the application process, it is easier in the beginning to start with yourself and work back through the generations to your Mayflower ancestor. Keep in mind that you are interested in gathering proof [Revised 10 February 2018] Page 2 of 8

3 through various means for key items (names, relationships, dates and places) associated with birth, marriage, and death for each generation. Wherever possible it is necessary for you to provide evidence of lineage from primary sources secondary proof is acceptable when primary sources are not available. More about the type and quality of proof or evidence is explained during the application process. Do Not Send Originals: Legible Copies Are Sufficient GSMD Preliminary Review Form The staff of the GSMD provides a service to assist prospective members using the Preliminary Review form online at the GSMD web site: The GSMD staff compares your proposed lineage with the approved lineage papers in their files to determine what portion of your line is already documented. You will receive a report from the GSMD staff on their findings with instructions on how to proceed. Please remember the preliminary review is not an application. Applications for membership go through the fifty-three individual member societies. Society of Mayflower Descendants, Pennsylvania (SMDPA) Proposal 1. Initial Application Phase. Every prospective member (applicant) shall complete in full a Proposal for Membership and accompanying Mayflower Introductory/Basic Form, located on pages 6 and 7. The exception for using the Proposal for Membership and Mayflower Introductory/Basic Form is when someone seeks status as a Junior J. An individual pursuing a Transfer or Dual Membership only needs to complete the Proposal for Membership form. Once in receipt of the completed Proposal for Membership and Mayflower Introductory/Basic Form, the State Historian conducts basic research based on the applicant s information. The State Historian informs the applicant of the findings. Continuing the application journey requires the applicant to gather the necessary documentation to fill the gaps identified from the last generation the Historian found, down to themselves as the last generation. 2. Gathering Details Phase. Using the basic research as a guide, the SMDPA historian sends the applicant a more detailed Worksheet. At this time, the SMDPA historian may seek assistance from the SMDPA historian team and assign a team member to assist. Again, the applicant uses the Worksheet as a guide for recording the last generation matched in the basic research down to themselves. [Revised 10 February 2018] Page 3 of 8

4 For the Worksheet, your focus is to gather proof for each generation in five key events: Birth of line carrier, Death of line carrier, Marriage of line carrier to spouse (including divorces and remarriages), Birth of spouse, and Death of spouse. The five elements are mandatory for each generation because records of genealogical records can get murky as one goes back earlier than the 1900s. After the 1900s, formal birth, marriage, and death certificates become prominent. For these reasons, the GSMD staff requires complete documentation for each generation. Complete documentation (primary evidence) is a long form birth certificate, marriage certificate, and death certificate showing parents names for the line carrier and the spouse. This requirement exists for all births, marriages and deaths after Prior to 1900 primary and secondary evidence is acceptable. Examples of primary and secondary evidence are Bible records, transcriptions of town records, Federal Census Records, published family histories, town histories, church records, and other sources. Note: Whereas a single primary source is acceptable, the use of secondary evidence increases the burden for genealogical proof. You must provide evidence from more than one source for the same event. GSMD may allow some exceptions, however. When the situation necessitates, a historian team member is available to give suggestions and ideas throughout the iterative process. As the applicant seeks proof of lineage, and sometimes encounters a brick wall; the historian team member works with the applicant by suggesting ways to find missing records and complete documentation satisfy GSMD standards. Once the worksheet and records are in order, the applicant returns the completed Worksheet with documentation to the State Historian. Once all documentation is complete the final application phase begins. 3. Final Application Phase. The State Historian reviews the latest information from the applicant, makes any adjustments, and prepares a final application form. The State Historian sends the applicant the final application with instructions. The applicant reviews the information on the final form, signs the application, and provides any missing substantiating documents. In addition, the applicant indicates the type of membership desired, Annual or Lifetime; he or she sends checks for the appropriate amounts to GSMD and SMDPA. The applicant sends the final application and other information to the State Historian. [Revised 10 February 2018] Page 4 of 8

5 Refer to the table that follows for applicable fees and dues. If the application is not accepted by GSMD, it happens infrequently, the SMDPA staff returns the applicant s Membership Certificate Fee and Dues. The GSMD examination fee is non-refundable. The State Historian forwards the final application and supporting documents to the GSMD Historian General in Plymouth. After a thorough review, the Historian General returns the application to the State Historian. The State Historian contacts the prospective member with one of the following results from Plymouth: (a) the application requires additional documentation; (b) the application is rejected, rationale given; and (c) the application is approved. With approval, the new member receives the approved, corrected copy it is the approved copy with annotated corrections that the member is to use for proof during supplemental and other actions in the future. SMDPA Application Fees General Society Examination Fee (original and supplemental applications) * State Membership Certificate (original and supplemental) * Application Fees of the Society in Pennsylvania $75.00 * $20.00 State Annual Dues (18 years and older) $40.00 * Not applicable to Transfer or Dual Memberships TOTAL = $ for new annual members Life Membership (one-time single payment) ** $ to $1, General Society Examination Fee $75.00 State Membership Certificate $20.00 ** See Life Membership specifics, below. Dues for Junior J Members (must join before 18th birthday) Junior Annual household dues Note: Juniors have no lineage papers filed and they are not recognized as members by the General Society). $15.00 for All Juniors in a member household For Life Membership, the following costs and time-frames (years) apply. From birth to 10: $1,020 Ages 11 to 20: $ 960 Ages 21 to 30: $ 900 Ages 31 to 40: $ 810 Age 41 and older: $ 700 [Revised 10 February 2018] Page 5 of 8

6 The SMDPA Board of Assistants establishes and periodically revises fees and dues. Please keep the document for reference as you go through the application process. Do not send money until notified by the SMDPA Historian or other society officer the application process takes some time and we notify members when submitting the final application to the General Society. Contact the SMDPA Historian at the following addresses. to: Mail to: John E. Lapham, D.Mgt. Attn: SMDPA Historian 70 Palace Drive Gettysburg, PA [Revised 10 February 2018] Page 6 of 8

7 Please complete the SMDPA Mayflower Introductory/Basic Form using full names. SMDPA PROPOSAL FOR MEMBERSHIP APPLICANT INFORMATION Full Name of Applicant: Prefix (Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr., Rev., Other): Suffix (Sr., Jr., III, MD, PhD., Other): Current address: Date of application (dd/mm/yyyy): City: State: ZIP+4 Code: Date of birth (dd/mm/yyyy): Retired? Yes No (Please circle) Occupation (Current & before retirement) Home Phone: Cell Phone: Fax: Primary (important): Alternate Name of Mayflower ancestor from whom you intend to prove descent: MARITAL STATUS (IF APPLICABLE) Full Name of Spouse: Full Maiden Name (If different from above): Date of birth (dd/mm/yyyy): Is this inquiry a Supplemental? Yes SUPPLEMENTAL / TRANSFER MEMBER INFORMATION No (Please circle) Are you a transferring member of another State Society? Yes No (Please circle) Name of State: Your GSMD Member #: Your State Member #: MEMBERSHIP INQUIRY Do you have a relative in any state Mayflower society? Yes If yes, full name of relative: No (Please circle) Relationship to you: Relative s GSMD Member #: Relative s State Member #: MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY Please in indicate the category you are seeking by placing a check or at the appropriate box: Regular (i.e. Annual - applicants age 18 or older) Transfer (Regular members only Life Memberships are not transferable) Dual (applicants of any age) (also check one of the above) Life (applicants of any age) Junior (Annual - applicants must be under 18 years of age) (membership expires on 25th birthday) How did you learn of the Society? (General Society, Member, Sail 1620 web site, Brochure, press/publicity, other) SIGNATURES Signature of applicant (or Sponsor for minor Annual or Life Members): Date (dd/mm/yyyy): Sponsor s Full Name: Sponsor s Address: Sponsor s Sponsor s Phone # [Revised 10 February 2018] Page 7 of 8

8 Please complete the SMDPA Mayflower Introductory/Basic Form using full names. SMDPA Mayflower Introductory/Basic Form APPLICANT INFORMATION Name: Date of application (dd/mm/yyyy): Phone: Current address: City: State: ZIP+4 Code: 1. Name of your Mayflower Passenger Ancestor (All Caps) LINE CARRIER (ALL CAPS) MAYFLOWER LINEAGE SPOUSE (First Letter Caps) 2. Son/Daughter: Married: 3. Son/Daughter: Married: 4. Son/Daughter: Married: 5. Son/Daughter: Married: 6. Son/Daughter: Married: 7. Son/Daughter: Married: 8. Son/Daughter: Married: 9. Son/Daughter: Married: 10. Son/Daughter: Married: 11. Son/Daughter: Married: 12. Son/Daughter: Married: 13. Son/Daughter: Married: 14. Son/Daughter: Married: 15. Son/Daughter: Married: 16. Son/Daughter: Married: 17. Son/Daughter: Married: Note: Your name should be last. Comments/Remarks: Provide pertinent comments concerning your Mayflower lineage in the space provided below. If known, include the Full Name of the close relative, plus their close relative s General Society and State Society/Member Society membership numbers: Name: GS#: STATE#: [Revised 10 February 2018] Page 8 of 8